Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Pushing the limits
By Natasha Fernandopulle
‘A fusion of concrete, desert, ocean and jungle,’ would probably be the best way to describe the Dialog KIT Challenge 2005 – Series IV. It is just the event for those of you who are interested in testing your physical endurance, and stretching your strengths and stamina to the very limit! In a nutshell, the tag line for this year says it all – ‘Dare to Survive, Challenge Your Limits!’

Speaking to Chirantha De Zoysa, Assistant Manager – Promotions and Sports Marketing, Dialog Telekom Ltd., he said this is a “one of a kind” programme, and that it is one of the most comprehensive sporting events in Sri Lanka. “It is a combination of programmes like Fear Factor, Amazing Race and Survivor,” he said. “This is done mainly for the KIT (pre-paid) market,” Mr. De Zoysa said, and it is open to anyone.

When the programme was launched in 2001, it started with 40 teams and then in 2002, the number of teams doubled. In 2003 the number sky rocketed to 105 and then this year, it has been a tremendous 105 plus teams, with more than 900 participants.

There have usually been three stages in the KIT Challenge, but this year, there is an inclusion of one more stage, the elimination stage. This is the first stage. The second and third stages are the ‘City Challenge’ and the ‘Ocean – Desert Challenge’ respectively. The final round is the fourth stage. It’s a survival adventure race, which will be held on an isolated island.

From the initial 150 teams, it was brought down to 80 teams for stage one. The first elimination process was to give all the participants a feel of the event. This was on a ‘knock out’ basis, and there were two elimination rounds. The first was on January 28 and 29. The next was on February 4 and 5. The triathlon, obstacle course, confidence jump, staircase run and IQ tests were the tests in the elimination round.

The City Challenge was worked off in four days, that is on February 11 and 12, and then again on February 18 and 19. It was a clue-based challenge, which took place within the Colombo city limits. The participants had to look for clues in various places in the city. Sixty teams were knocked out at this stage.

From this point on 20 teams were left, and they moved on to the third stage, which was termed ‘challenges in the big blue sea and demanding desert.’ This took place last weekend, on February 25 and 26, and was a one night and two-day challenge, which took place in the Negombo to Puttalam area. One such challenge was where the participants had to sail on oru for around 10 to 15 kilometres, and go through various obstacles and challenges.

The finals will be kicked off this weekend, starting from March 3 and ending today, March 5. This is a two-night and three-day challenge. Those who reached the finals were the ten teams, – ‘Rawan Sena’, ‘Seylan Tikiri’, ‘Challengers’, ‘Amphibians’, ‘The Thunders’, ‘Seylan Shakthi’, ‘M.B.T’, ‘Amity’, ‘Conquerors’ and ‘Defenders’. This stage is a survival adventure race. They will not be given shelter, but will be given ration packs to last for 48 hours. This round is to be held in the Mahiyanganaya area.

The KIT Challenge, an annual programme, is always met with “a tremendous amount of enthusiasm.” It was also encouraging that a lot of teams, (around 50) from areas out of Colombo (Galle, Kurunegala, Kandy, Wennappuwa) participated. In addition, the corporate sector had quite a number of participants as well. The KIT Challenge fosters team building, self confidence and leadership skills, just to name a few of its plus points. And thus it is valuable for individuals, for those in the corporate sector and those working in groups.

In the first KIT Challenge the winners were rewarded with a safari to Kenya, the next group of winners were sent to Malaysia, and the winners of the last challenge were awarded Rs.250,000. Today’s winners will be rewarded with Rs.500,000. The first and second runners up will be awarded with Rs.250,000 and Rs.100,000 respectively.

So, good luck to all of you who will be putting your strengths and skills to the test. And for those of you who were not able to participate this year, there is always next year!

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